Veiling at a Furneral Mass

[lizds]

My boyfriend’s Grandfather passed away just this last week. It’s unfortunate I never had the chance to meet him, but I sit next to his Grandmother every Sunday in Mass. This will be the first funeral Mass I’ve attended. Every Sunday at mass I wear a white veil… I’m unsure whether I should just wear my white veil to the funeral or if I should invest in a black one. Any suggestions?

 

[TimothyH]

I misread the title of the post. I though it said “Yelling at a funeral Mass” and so I clicked in to see what all the fuss was about.

Sorry. Carry on.

-Tim-

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I went to a funeral mass 2 weeks ago and all the mantillas and hats were black. I wouldn’t wear white, it doesn’t seem appropriate.

 

[karow]

My boyfriend’s Grandfather passed away just this last week. It’s unfortunate I never had the chance to meet him, but I sit next to his Grandmother every Sunday in Mass. This will be the first funeral Mass I’ve attended. Every Sunday at mass I wear a white veil… I’m unsure whether I should just wear my white veil to the funeral or if I should invest in a black one. Any suggestions?

I’m assuming you’re not coming from Asian cultures, where white is the mourning color.

Were I you I would invest in a black mantilla or veil. You don’t have to invest big bucks in one, but I think if you don the appropriate, respectful color for a funeral Mass both your boyfriend and his grandmother will appreciate the effort.

 

[Love_Divine]

Personally, I’d wear my black veil, but given that you don’t have one, you could just wear your white veil. Besides, every funeral I’ve been to, the priest is dressed in white, and the pall is white, etc. I don’t think you’d stand out like a sore thumb.

Is this an EF Mass or a NO Mass? EF, I would definately go for the black.

 

[Theophorus]

Firstly congratulations on choosing to wear the veil.
I was at a Requiem Mass this morning and some of the congregation wear the veil the lighter colours such as blue/white didn’t look out of place really.
saying that If you have the time and resources to invest in a black veil that would be a nice token of respect.

 

[lizds]

I have the lace to make a black one. So obtaining one would be simple. I’ve had some people tell me that only close family members wear black veils, but I thought it would be inapropriate to wear white. Thank you all for your opinion/advice.

 

[Marithorne]

Black veil for mourning, white is typically for unmarried women for regular masses and black for married women or widows. I have seen women wear veils to match the liturgical calendar, ie red, green, purple, and red . . . with white. I also know a woman who wears beautiful pastel kerchiefs made of silk. Hardly anyone wears them at our Church. I used to, but quit as it was drawing to much attention during mass. They are lovely.

 

[lizaanne]

I’ve had some people tell me that only close family members wear black veils,…

I’ve never heard that before, in all the ZILLIONS of threads about head covering we have had here on CAF. Not sure where they would get that from.

I’ve been to funeral Masses (all OF Masses), and I’ve always worn a black veil, one time a black lace veil edged with gray lace. I would not wear white.

~Liza

 

[TheMc]

I would go for black. There’s a reason why the church for years and years used black vestments for funerals, and why it is still a valid option. Go for it.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

If you came to a funeral for a member of my family it wouldn’t make one bit of difference to me what color veil you wore. If you go with the white, it would be nice to wear clothing that has a touch of white in the pattern, or a white blouse, to kind of pull the outfit together.

 

[5Loaves]

Besides, every funeral I’ve been to, the priest is dressed in white, and the pall is white, etc.

GIRM 346.

As to the color of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is to be retained: namely,

a. White is used in the Offices and Masses during the Easter and Christmas seasons; also on celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not Martyrs; on the Solemnities of All Saints (1 November) and of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (24 June); and on the Feasts of Saint John the Evangelist (27 December), of the Chair of Saint Peter (22 February), and of the Conversion of Saint Paul (25 January).

d. Violet or purple is used in Advent and of Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead (cf. below).

e. Besides violet, white or black vestments may be worn** at funeral services and at other Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America**.

I think you see white vestments because many parishes don’t own black vestments. They’re more likely to have violet so the choice for white may be a personal preference. As others mentioned white is the color of mourning in some cultures.

 

[Rome_Always]

I have recently bought a white mantilla and a black mantilla. It is my understanding that traditionally young single women in most circumstances are to wear a while veil.However, for funerals and if you are in the audience with the pope, you are to wear a black one. go to ewtn.com/ and go under Religious Catalogue. Once you have requested your catalogue, you can order your mantillas for $6.00 a piece. They are nice ones too!